The administrative leaves of Roanoke Rapids police Chief Bobby Martin and Captain Jamie Hardy are tied to an internal investigation by an outside consultant of the city’s policies and procedures.

City Manager Kelly Traynham said there is no criminal investigation being conducted.

She declined to comment, however, on the specific policies and procedures that are being investigated by the Huntersville firm of Richardson & Davis Investigative Consulting Group. Their website describes the work they perform as being elite private investigations.

Traynham said the group is in the process of finalizing an investigative report.

In a statement this afternoon, Traynham said that she, after conferring with the city council last month, initiated an independent investigation “to ensure a fair and impartial review of personnel matters involving government employees.”

She said the consulting group was retained by the city to perform an internal investigation of one or more allegations “and/or” policy violations involving the RRPD. 

She said in the statement the investigation began with a review of relevant policies, state statutes, federal law, professional guidance, and interviews. 

Initial interviews included key witnesses, former and current city employees, including both Hardy and Martin.

Traynham said in the statement that Martin and Hardy were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into allegations city administration had received.

Administrative leave is non-disciplinary under the city’s personnel policy and allows the city to temporarily suspend an employee pending the completion of an investigation.

While state law limits the city’s ability to release information regarding a pending personnel matter, Traynham said under North Carolina General Statute §160A-168(c)(7), and with the concurrence of city council, the city was able to issue the statement.